I'm new to the forum but have shot cowboy since 2005. I just bought a Winchester/Miroku 1892 Takedown in 32-20. The gun has a 24" octagonal barrel and seems as though it should be great for PC. My only concern is the takedown feature. Will that negatively affect the accuracy of the gun vs. a solid frame? Additionally, any 32-20 loading recipes would be great. Thank you!

Leupoldd1,

I have the same rifle and, though not a tack driver, it does well enough for PC animals. I'm pleased with it overall. I've sent you a PM with some more information. Good luck.

Cimarron Red

Most of the competitors are shooting a Marlin 39 for smallbore cowboy, and it's a takedown design. Even with the higher pressure/recoil of a centerfire compared to rimfire, I'd guess that the variance in individual rifles could more than make up for the possible accuracy difference in design. That would be especially true with the big targets that we use for cowboy silhouette. That 24" octagonal barrel would probably hold steady enough to make it worth it.

Like Jason says all 39A's are take down and they are good performers. I shoot 3 Single shots in Schuetzen two are take down Stevens, barrel screws into the receiver and locks up with a screw from under the action. Other one is a solid frame Winchester 1885 they were offered both ways. Most shooters think the Winchester single shot take down system is a negative while the Stevens have a good accuracy reputation. If a take down rifle is tight it's not a negative. If the take down system won't lock up tight it's a big problem.

Boats

My current favorite load for 32-20 is 115 gr. RNFP (cast) in front of 4.5 gr. of Unique.
I'm shooting it in a Marlin 1894CL w/ 22" Barrel. My gun shoots it way better than I can!

Ed

I have used that 4.5 Unique load too, it's a good one. Lately have been loading the 115 gr bullet with 10 grs of 4227. Velocity duplicates 4.5 of Unique but seems less sensitive to how the gun is mounted. My experience is Unique in light charges will string if the powder is not in the same place every shot.

Of course good practice is to mount the rifle same way every time no matter what powder is used

Boats

My favorite 32-20 load to date is the 118 gr moly coated cast bullet from Bear Creek Supply in Waterford CA. in front of 6.9 gr of Blue Dot. Cronos 1400 fps from a 22" Marlin 1894 and shoots tight groups. Runner up is 10 grs IMR 4227 with the same bullet. Zero bore leading for an easy clean up, and have never had a dinger.